Weekend picks: And they're off at Arlington Park Friday

<b>Horse racing returns to Arlington</b>

Another season of horse-racing at Arlington Park commences today with Opening Day and Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday at 2200 Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Free admission on opening day; $10 Derby Day. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. <b>10:45 a.m. gates open, first race at 3 p.m. Friday, May 4; Derby Day: 10:45 a.m. gates open, 12:15 p.m. first race Saturday, May 5 </b>

<b>A chocolate lover's dream</b>

Chocolate treats are the stars of the day at the annual Long Grove Chocolate Festival, at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, in downtown Long Grove. Sample chocolate fare galore - everything from chocolate cake and popcorn to chocolate-covered strawberries (double-dipped in dark chocolate) or a chocolate martini. Other highlights include chocolate demonstrations and workshops, music, kids activities and more. Free admission. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveonline.com. <b>10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 4-6</b>

<b>Orchestral exotica</b>

Exotic locales are conjured up aurally whenthe Elgin Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Victor Yampolsky and featuringcellist Matt Haimovitz, perform music of Rimsky-Korsakov, Saint-Sa&euml;ns and more for the concert "One Thousand and One Nights" this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$75. (847) 931-5900 or elginsymphony.org. <b>1:30 p.m. Friday, May 4; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6 </b>

<b>Euro metal</b>

Rammstein, an industrial metal band from Berlin, will make a stop Friday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Rammstein is hugely popular around the world, and the group has become known for over-the-top live shows that feature plenty of pyrotechnics and outrageous costumes. The band is touring behind its recent greatest-hits release, "Made in Germany." $49.50 to $92.50. Go to ticketmaster.com. <b>8 p.m. Friday, May 4</b>

<b>Midwestern mirth</b>

Comedian Michael Palascak has been known for joking about living with his parents. See if he's still under their roof when he performs this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two-menu item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. <b>8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, May 4, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, May 5</b>

<b>Farce in Lake Forest</b>

A famous tenor set to perform at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company's season opening gala goes missing, setting in motion high jinks and hilarity in Ken Ludwig's farce, "Lend Me a Tenor." Citadel Theatre Company revives the door-slamming comedy directed by Robert Estrin at the West Campus Theater, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. $35, $37.50. (847) 735-8554 or citadeltheatre.org. <b>Opens at 8 p.m. Friday, May 4</b>

<b>Putting it together</b>

Northlight Theatre presents "[title of show]," a musical by Jeff Bowen (music and lyrics) and Hunter Bell (book) chronicling the creation of a musical. It centers on Jeff and Hunter trying to create a new work for a musical theater festival whose deadline for submissions is quickly approaching. "[name of show]" - named for the space on the application form that asks for the name of the show - follows their efforts to make the deadline with a work they hope will change their lives. Peter Amster directs. Doug Peck is the music director. See it at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens May 11. $25-$65. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org. <b>Previews begin at 8 p.m. Friday, May 4</b>

<b>Uncommon mom</b>

Start marking Mother's Day this month by catching former opera singer-turned cabaret artist Gillian Kelly in her intimate show "Not Your Ordinary Mother!" on Friday evenings at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $15 plus two-drink purchase. (773) 278-1830 or davenportspianobar.com. <b>8 p.m. Fridays through May 25</b>

<b>Shazam! Free comics</b>

Saturday, May 5, is Free Comic Book Day, in shops across the world. Many comic stores are giving away a free comic to patrons, with no strings attached. A number of suburban shops, including Dreamland Comics in Libertyville and Comix Revolution in Mount Prospect, are participating. To find a participating store near you, visit freecomicbookday.com. <b>Saturday, May 5</b>

<b>Cars to ogle</b>

Fans of pricey cars like Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Roadsters and more should check out Supercar Saturday Car Show this Saturday at The Promenade, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Free. thepromenadebolingbrook.com. <b>9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 5 </b>

<b>Big Trucks</b>

Children of all ages can get an up-close view of large vehicles and trucks in the Big Trucks event at the Palatine Family Aquatic Center, 340 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Youngsters can sit in the driver's seat of some of the vehicles. Free. (847) 991-1700 or palatineparks.org. <b>10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5</b>

<b>Barrington Area Kid Fest</b>

Take part in kite flying and other family activities at the Barrington Area Kid Fest at Citizen's Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington. Other highlights include food and raffles. Free. For information and to register, visit barringtonbreakfastrotary.org. (847) 381-0687. <b>11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 5; rain date: Sunday, May 6</b>

<b>Free frozen yogurt!</b>

Make your own frozen yogurt creations at the new Yogurtland at 76 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights. A grand opening party takes place Saturday starting at noon, and if you're one of the first 100 people in the door, your scoop is free. Yogurtland offers 16 flavors and more than 35 toppings in a salad-bar-style, pay-by-the-ounce set up. (847) 253-1111 or yogurtland.com. <b>Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 5</b>

<b>Hop on the hayride!</b>

The Danada Equestrian Center, at 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton, is offering 30-minute horse-drawnhayrides through the prairies and woodlands of the Danada Forest Preserve. Learn about the features of this historic preserve. $5 per person for ages 13 and older; $2 for ages 5-12; kids under age 5 are free. (630) 668-6012 or dupageforest.org. <b>Noon to 3:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 5-6</b>

<b>Keeping it 'green'</b>

More than 350 eco-friendly businesses will be on hand in a marketplace of exhibits at the environmental consumer event, Green Festival, in Hall A at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Other features include environmental speakers, an organic beer, mead and wine pavilion and a children's area. Admission is $15-$25 when purchased at the door. Visit greenfestivals.org or call (312) 595-7437. <b>Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 6</b>

<b>Celebrating Cinco de Mayo </b>

Arts in Bartlett and the Color My World children's art studio host a Cinco de Mayo Celebration at the Bartlett Center for the Arts, 118 W. Bartlett Ave., Bartlett. The event features music, folk tales and crafts of Mexico. Participants can make a colorful pi&ntilde;ata. Free. No registration required. (630) 372-4152 or (224) 208-5707 or artsinbartlett.org. <b>4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 6</b>

<b>Balanchine bash</b>

Ballet Chicago performs George Balanchine's "Concerto Barocco," "Rubies" and "Who Cares?" as part of the concert of "Balanchine Masterworks" this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$40. (312) 334-7777 or balletchicago.org. <b>8 p.m. Saturday, May 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 6</b>

<b>Smooth jazz</b>

Saxophonist and Latin pop star Jessy J performs smooth jazz this Saturday at the Montrose Room at the InterContinental O'Hare Hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. $20-$40. (847) 544-5300 or montroseroom.com. <b>8 p.m. Saturday, May 5</b>

<b>'Local' act</b>

While putting the touches on a long-awaited new record, the alt-punk band Local H is testing some new material on the road. Local H, which hails from Lake County, always delivers a galvanizing show onstage. See the band at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. The bands Monkey Paw and Boots With Spurs will open. $15. Go to doubledoor.com. <b>9 p.m. Saturday, May 5</b>

<b>Rockin' with Rico</b>

Rico performs a tribute to the legendary band Santana at a Cinco de Mayo celebration at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. $5-$10. (847) 499-5000 or viper-alley.com. <b>9 p.m. Saturday, May 5</b>

<b>'The Trip to Bountiful'</b>

Albright Theatre Company presents "The Trip to Bountiful," Horton Foote's drama of an elderly woman who defies her grown son and daughter-in-law to visit her childhood home in Texas. The program takes place at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. $10-$13. (630) 406-8838 or albrighttheatre.com. <b>2 p.m. Sunday, May 6</b>

<b>Northwest Symphony Orchestra</b>

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra presents its "Pops Concert" at Maine West High School Auditorium, 1755 S. Wolf Road, Des Plaines. Selections include works from Richard Rodgers' "The King and I" and songs by George Gershwin from "Gershwin in Concert." $10-$20. (847) 965-7271 or northwestsymphony.org. <b>3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6</b>

<b>Trumpeter Wayne Bergeron</b>

Grammy nominee and trumpeter Wayne Bergeron headlines the College of Lake County's "35th Annual Guest Artist Concert" at the Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Bergeron performs alongside the College of Lake County's Monday Night Jazz Ensemble. $4-$6. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. <b>4 p.m. Sunday, May 6</b>

<b>Dancing and dinner</b>

Sit in on a group ballroom dancing lesson and then grab some grub Sunday at Mickey Finn's, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Co-owners of the Ballroom Dance Studio will give a group lesson in the restaurant's private Amber Room. Lessons will be followed by appetizers. $20 per person and includes a free lesson at the studio's Vernon Hills or Northbrook locations. Reservations required. (847) 549-8748 or mickeyfinnsbrewery.com. <b>5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 6</b>